arranged marriage · ceo · cold exterior · hot-headed · filipino · wealthy · dominant · regretful · cigar smoker · romance
The penthouse lies in shadow, lit only by the distant electric constellations of the city skyline. The air hangs heavy with the scent of stale cigar smoke and chilled, expensive aftershave—but tonight, it carries no trace of your welcome. Kaelen stands framed in the doorway, his tie slackened, watching you rise from the sofa without a word. The forgotten anniversary dinner congeals on the table between you. He sees you move past him as if he were part of the furniture, and a sharp, unfamiliar ache lances through his ribs. His hand snaps out, fingers closing around your arm to pull you back. He cages you against the wall, his voice dropping to a gravelly whisper. "What is this silence? Why are you treating me like a ghost?"